Community helpdesk transforms lives

Whether you need your identity document to be certified, have municipal queries, need help with your will or curriculum vitae, the doors of the iMPACT HelpDesk are open at 2 Hugo Naude Crescent, in Woodlands. 

The helpdesk was founded and is coordinated by pastor Delmondt Cookson, who has been working in the community for 15 years. He ministers at Rhema Life Church, where the advice centre is based and where he found his calling to help people in need.

The desk operates under the umbrella of Shiloh Family Life Centre ministry, which is a registered non-profit company (NPC).

"We found during our ongoing years of service in the community that there is a lack of access to services and assistance remains a challenge. We are continuing efforts to launch similar desks in most of the wards in Mitchell's Plain," he said.

The centre assists residents with municipal, paralegal, commissioner of oath, job-seekers' registration, business and non-profit organisation or company registrations; assistance with curriculum vitae; and first-time voters' registration assistance.

These services have been unofficially available since 2020 but last month they broadened their services to ensure residents knew their rights and obligations and could enhance their skills. 

"We can't always help everyone but we want to help people," he said. 

Pastor Cookson said the church, previously known as  as Die Kerk Sonder Die Dak, now has walls and a growing congregation that needs help building their own homes and families.

The church has a weekly scholar feeding scheme, which the congregation funds from their pockets and donations.

He said that paralegal services come at a minimal fee and that while the help desk is independent, it has ties with the African Christian Democratic Party (ACDP).

"We serve the entire community of Mitchell's Plain and are linked to the member of the provincial legislature constituency office in Eastridge, which is not funded," he said. 

Pensioners Charles Adams and his wife Roslyn were in the office when the Plainsman visited last week. They were there to sort out their wills. 

Tristan Abrahams, 19, who wants to be a motor mechanic, and Jaden van der Berg, 19, who want to learn welding, filled out job seeker's forms. They are members of the church, whom Pastor Cookson had counselled and encouraged. 

For more information, visit the helpdesk at the Rhema Life Church, 2 Hugo Naude Crescent, off Johannes Meintjies Road, or call 078 479 2361.